







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Oh, sorry! You don't like cleaning things, I can do it. | |
| That's nice, the cupboards look good, the bench is okay... | |
| What's the date today? | |
| Oh, sorry, I also need a grater for the cheese. | |
| I'm really amazed by the structure of this station. | |
| I want to be sober and energetic for tomorrow. | |
| Yes, it's in Piccadilly Circus right in the centre. | |
| Yeah, it's normal, he even hisses at my new socks sometimes! | |
| It's not much less... There is a slight difference! | |
| I'm really sorry about that! | |
| No, it's the owner, she is an old lady and very strict about that. | |
| I think we need to put some of your clothes away. | |
| It's individually, the small ones are 30p, big ones 50p. | |
| You know, I usually have some early morning lessons. | |
| Do you have any area in mind? | |
| No, but I definitely don't want to live in that house anymore! | |
| Do you think electric stoves are better? | |
| Do you remember me? | |
| Look, you can watch the sunset best from this point. | |
| Yeah, I think killing mosquitoes is fair. | |